Canada Birdwatching Tours: Our Top 5

1.Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 837 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $94Our pick

From Bay Bulls, about 25 minutes from St. John’s, board Gatherall’s catamaran for a 90-minute cruise into the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Expect puffins, nesting seabirds, coastal scenery, and seasonal icebergs. Whales are most likely from mid-June to mid-August, but sightings are never guaranteed. Hotel transport costs extra.

“This was a fantastic tour. The tour operators were fantastic. They even sang Newfoundland songs! We also saw about 4-6 humpback whales and lots and lots and lots of cute puffins! I would highly recommend this excellence to all!”

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2.2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 557 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

From Bay Bulls, you’ll spend about two hours cruising the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve with naturalist guides, watching puffins, murres, razorbills, petrels, and other seabirds. Whales and dolphins may appear, but sightings are never guaranteed. Expect useful narration, local songs, optional screeching-in, and a boat ride that can feel cold, so bring warm clothing.

“We were accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, Noah, who even sang folk songs. We were blessed to have a sunny day. Too early for whales or Icebergs but just being on the water and observing seabirds in their natural habitat was well worth it!”

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3.2 Hour Award-Winning Whale and Seabird Boat Tour from St. John’s

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 455 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $112

Cruise from St. John’s Harbour toward Signal Hill, Fort Amherst, Blackhead Sea Caves, and Cape Spear. Your captain and crew explain local history, seabirds, whales, and ocean life. A heated cabin offers shelter, while the open deck gives you the best views. Whales and icebergs are possible but never guaranteed.

“The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. We didn’t see whales but it wasn’t the season for it, we still did have a great time.”

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4.Niagara Falls, Canada: Bird Kingdom Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 243 reviews · 1 hour · from $18Cheapest here

Walk through Bird Kingdom’s multi-level rainforest, where hundreds of tropical birds fly freely around you. Meet parrots and other animals, explore the Night Jungle, and feed lorikeets for an extra fee. The attraction is about a five-minute walk from Niagara Falls, open year-round, and takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour.

“My adult daughter and I met a group at the Bird Kingdom for another activity and decided if time permitted, we would go back. When our Aerial Cable Car ride was cancelled due to thunder and wind, we were fortunate to realize a WeGo bus was right at the venue and would take us back to “the Birds” . So, we arrived at a relatively empty site – which was great – the first two floors were primarily history (which we had already experienced at the Niagara History Museum) and small exhibits of frogs, turtles’ spiders – but the third floor is what you pay for - this is an…”

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5.Late Season Puffin & Scenic Coastal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $71

From St. John’s, travel to Bay Bulls for a 90-minute catamaran cruise through the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Expect late-season puffins, seabirds, coastal views, natural history, local songs, and possible sightings of whales, sunfish, eagles, or jellyfish. A hotel shuttle is available for an extra fee.

“The captain and crew were fantastic, knowledgeable and entertaining! We saw a whale, which is quite rare for early September. Even if we hadn't, it would still be worthwhile.”

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